Helensville A. and P. Association.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 June 1913, Page 2

Helensville A. and P. Association.

A special meeting of tho Helensville r A. and P. Association took place last Wednesday evening, at which, the ' special resolution authorising the " Executive to dispose of portion of ' the show grounds was confirmed. Mr J. Mc Leod was in the chair and over twenty members attended. ! The Chairman then referred to the presence of a patron of the society. ' Mr Gordon Coates M.P., who had been asked to attend to see if he could ' render assistance on various matters. The first question mentioned by the Chairman was the agitation for a Sunday milk train between Auckland and Helensville. He asked Mr Coates to take note of the resolution adopted by the Kaipara Dairy Company on this question, which was as follows:— " That the Company will receive, pasteurise if necessary, and forward milk from suppliers with registered dairies for Auckland supply, and until July 31st will advance Is per gallon and pay bonus for balance less transit and cost of handling " Continuing the Chairman, said the train asked for would pay the Department, as it would not only take the milk traffic, but would enable m ore people to visit the Hot Springs. Mr Coates promised to support the proposal and pointed out that owing to the dearth of the milk in the city, according to reports in the papers, the Auckland Parliamentary members would assist in this matter also. He considered a very good case could be set out. The Chairman then asked Mr Coates' assistance in regard to getting a grant from the Government for the Society. Various Associations had received grants from the Government for the purchase of grounds, and as the members of the Helensville society had handed over £800 towards purchasing their grounds, he thought they could reasonably ask the Government for assistance. Another question that had been talked of some time was the I erection of a drill hall on the show grounds. The association would give the site providing they could use the hall for show purposes, or the society would put up the hall and allow the Defence Department to use it, ">r they would erect a hall conjointly with the Department. Mr Coates said he would do what he could in the matters laid before him. Resignation oj? Secretary. A meeting of the Committee was : then held, at which the Secretary , (Mr J. 0, Rimmer) tendered his re^ ; signation. In doing so he gave a , few figures to indscate that the society had Dot gone back, as some people seemed to think, but was going i anead. Ho quoted for each year from 1907 to 1918, showing the res eeipts and expenditure throughout. ) The gate monies showed an increase from £51 to £82, entry fees £54 to £81, donations and trophies £23 to .£B2, and total receipts from £208 to £522. The number of entries had ; increased from G67 for 179 classes to 915 for 32.9 classes, and prizemonies from £91 to £230.

The Chairman contended that the show had not advanced as it should, as in the early stages they had to buy all the timber for pens and still had a good balance.

Tho Secretary said the prize money having increased from £91 to £230 was the best thing to take. Mr R. Nicholls argued that the show had gone ahead and had advanced farming interests in the district a good deal. He did not approve of the comparisons made by the Chairman in regard to tho progress of the society. If it were only in the matter of presenting exhibits they had gone ahead. The Chairman explained that ho had not meant to reflect on past presidents or their secretary, but had tried to show the apathy of members generally, and still maintained that the Society had not progressed as it should. After the Secretary's resignation hau been accepted ho was accorded a hearty voto of thanks, and was after* wards elected a member of the Committee. It was decided to invite applications for the position through the Advertiser, and meet on July 2nd to consider same. GENERAL. Mr Hudson (Hoteo), in reply to tho Chairman, said that a Show was rue at Wellsford, and he thought members up there would help Helensville, also would appreciate any help or exhibits from Helensville. ISew members were elected as follows:—Messrs G. Ogle, Potto, Carter, A. Garry, E. Garry, H Drower, J Constable, G. Rowe, C, White and Rev Merton.